3 Reasons You Should Give Up Your Smartphone

While we may be nearing the “peak oil” moment of smartphones, i.e., soon to exhaust the technologies of this device, our fingers are still wrapped tightly around our phones—we’re rarely without them. Whether you’re in a meeting, or on a date, you can bet your phone is always within reach.

And though we may admit that we need a digital detox, sometimes a girl just needs a half-step before the leap. To that end, we turn to the smartwatch. Yes, it may be a bit of a cheat, but sometimes you can’t quit cold turkey. And our watch of choice? Michael Kors’s new Access smartwatch, a watch that multitasks just as hard as we do—and lets us do it all hands-free.

Keep scrolling to find out why we’ve turned into smartwatch devotees—you just may be converted too.

Study after study shows how the blue light emitted from our smartphones actually keeps us up at night. Some experts even go as far as to suggest that smartphones shouldn’t be in our bedrooms. If one of the reasons for keeping your phone on your nightstand is because it doubles as your alarm clock, try this on for size: You can activate the watch with voice-command technology that lets you set an alarm for a more refreshing morning, since it doesn’t wake you up with a blaring sound.

Once you’re awake, swap the face of your watch to a traditional chronograph setting to ensure your morning is spent sans notifications. It’s vital to begin your day without distractions in order for you to feel refreshed when you do get to your responsibilities.

Whether you have an actual workout routine or you consider your daily commute to the office sufficient, having a step tracker right on your wrist is a surefire way to get your body moving. Using your phone can yield inaccurate results. And unlike fitness bands, you never have to take it off when you switch from working out to going out.

When you’re ready to get moving, swap the face setting of the watch to the step tracker. This allows you to keep an eye on how far you’re getting during your workout. Only have 15 minutes to work out? You won’t have to worry about losing track of time, since your watch and your step tracker are on the same device.

Yes, we’re being serious. There’s nothing more distracting (or unprofessional!) than having notifications pop up on your screen while you’re giving a presentation or having a meeting with your boss. Cut the umbilical cord and walk into the office with confidence, knowing that your watch will keep you abreast of all the notifications you need.

Swap back to a chronograph face when you walk into your meeting. This way you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your notifications are still coming through, but you won’t be tempted to keep checking them. With one easy swipe, you can get up-to-date on what you missed. This watch also allows you to customize your wristband, and is a foolproof way to look professional in the office.

What feature of the Michael Kors Access smartwatch do you like most? And are you ready to cut the cord?